"When the arguing and nonsensical talk reached its pitch the...

"When the arguing and nonsensical talk reached its pitch the Prophet peace and blessings be upon him and his family told them all to leave." Thus it was that as Ibn 'Abbas says: "The great misfortune arose when their noisy disputing prevented the Messenger of God from writing his testamentary document." ( 8 ) He then adds sorrowfully: "The tribulations of the Muslims began on that very day." ( 9 ) In the discussion that took place between Ibn 'Abbas and the second caliph concerning the caliphate of 'Ali the caliph said: "The Prophet wanted to declare 'Ali as his successor but I did not allow it to happen." (10) Some Sunni historians and hadith scholars have written that when the Prophet decided to write a document that would prevent the Muslims from going astray 'Umar said: "The Messenger of God has become delirious." Others however in ( 71 ) order to soften the offensiveness of his words maintain that he said: "Sickness has overcome the Prophet;…